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Abstract:

A mobile communication method according to the present invention
includes: a step of transmitting, by an operation and maintenance server
EM, "MDT config" to a radio base station eNB; a step of selecting, by the
radio base station eNB, a target mobile station UE on the basis of the
"MDT config"; a step of inquiring, by the radio base station eNB, of a
mobility management node MME or a subscriber management server HSS about
whether the target mobile station UE is approved for performing an MDT
measurement process; and a step of instructing, by the radio base station
eNB, the target mobile station UE to perform the MDT measurement process
when the target mobile station UE is approved for performing the MDT
measurement process.

Claims:

1. A mobile communication method, in which a target mobile station
performs a measurement process designated by an operation and maintenance
server and reports a result of the measurement process, comprising: a
step of transmitting, by the operation and maintenance server,
instruction information for instructing execution of the measurement
process to a radio base station; a step of selecting, by the radio base
station, the target mobile station on the basis of the instruction
information; a step of inquiring, by the radio base station, of a
predetermined node about whether the target mobile station is approved
for performing the measurement process; and a step of instructing, by the
radio base station, the target mobile station to perform the measurement
process when the target mobile station is approved for performing the
measurement process, wherein in the step of selecting, a predetermined
number of mobile stations for performing the measurement process are
selected from mobile stations in a connected state with the radio base
station as the target mobile station.

2. A mobile communication method, in which a target mobile station
performs a measurement process designated by an operation and maintenance
server and reports a result of the measurement process, comprising: a
step A of transmitting, by the operation and maintenance server,
instruction information for instructing execution of the measurement
process to a radio base station; a step B of selecting, by the radio base
station, the target mobile station on the basis of the instruction
information; a step C of determining, by the radio base station, whether
the target mobile station is approved for performing the measurement
process; and a step D of instructing, by the ratio base station, the
target mobile station to perform the measurement process when it is
determined that the target mobile station is approved for performing the
measurement process, wherein in the step B, a predetermined number of
mobile stations for performing the measurement process are selected from
mobile stations in a connected state with the radio base station as the
target mobile station.

3. The mobile communication method according to claim 2, wherein in the
step C, the radio base station determines whether the target mobile
station is approved for performing the measurement process, on the basis
of information received from a predetermined node.

4. A radio base station, which is used in a mobile communication system
configured such that a target mobile station is able to perform a
measurement process designated by an operation and maintenance server and
to report a result of the measurement process, comprising: a selection
unit that selects the target mobile station on the basis of instruction
information for instructing execution of the measurement process when the
instruction information is received from the operation and maintenance
server; an inquiry unit that inquires a predetermined node of whether the
target mobile station is approved for performing the measurement process;
and an instruction unit that instructs the target mobile station to
perform the measurement process when the target mobile station is
approved for performing the measurement process, wherein the selection
unit selects a predetermined number of mobile stations for performing the
measurement process from mobile stations in a connected state with the
radio base station as the target mobile station.

5. A radio base station, which is used in a mobile communication system
configured such that a target mobile station is able to perform a
measurement process designated by an operation and maintenance server and
to report a result of the measurement process, comprising: a selection
unit that selects the target mobile station on the basis of instruction
information for instructing execution of the measurement process when the
instruction information is received from the operation and maintenance
server; a determination unit that determines whether the target mobile
station is approved for performing the measurement process; and an
instruction unit that instructs the target mobile station to perform the
measurement process when it is determined that the target mobile station
is approved for performing the measurement process, wherein the selection
unit selects a predetermined number of mobile stations for performing the
measurement process from mobile stations in a connected state with the
radio base station as the target mobile station.

6. The radio base station according to claim 5, wherein the determination
unit is configured to determine whether the target mobile station is
approved for performing the measurement process, on the basis of
information received from a predetermined node.

Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile communication method and
a radio base station.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In an LTE (Long Term Evolution) scheme, "MDT (Minimisation of Drive
Tests)" is defined.

[0003] The MDT includes two modes of "Immediate MDT" and "Logged MDT".

[0004] In the "Immediate MDT", a target mobile station UE is configured to
perform a measurement process based on "RRC Measurement Configuration"
for current RRM (Radio Resource Management), to add "Location
Information" indicating location information of the target mobile station
UE to "RRC Measurement Report" including a result of the measurement
process, and to report the "RRC Measurement Report" to a network.

[0005] Meanwhile, in the "Logged MDT", the target mobile station UE is
configured to receive "Logged MDT Configuration" in a connected state
(RRCC_CONNECTED), to perform a measurement process based on the "Logged
MDT Configuration" in an idle state (RRC_IDLE), to store a result of the
measurement process as an MDT log, and to report the MDT log when the
target mobile station UE is transitioned to the connected state
(RRCC_CONNECTED).

[0006] As a procedure for starting the MDT, "Management based MDT
activation procedure" is defined.

[0007] The "Management based MDT activation procedure" is configured to be
able to designate a target MDT area.

[0009] However, since the MDT is not a service for a particular subscriber
of a mobile station UE, in order to allow the mobile station UE to
perform an MDT measurement process, it is considered to be necessary to
obtain approval of the subscriber of the mobile station UE.

[0010] Furthermore, currently, an operation and maintenance server EM or a
radio base station eNB does not understand whether the target mobile
station UE is approved for performing the MDT measurement process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Therefore, the present invention has been achieved in view of the
above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a mobile
communication method and a radio base station with which it is possible
to start MDT only when the target mobile station UE is approved for
performing an MDT measurement process.

[0012] A first characteristic of the present invention is summarized in
that a mobile communication method, in which a target mobile station
performs a measurement process designated by an operation and maintenance
server and reports a result of the measurement process, includes: a step
of transmitting, by the operation and maintenance server, instruction
information for instructing execution of the measurement process to a
radio base station; a step of selecting, by the radio base station, the
target mobile station on the basis of the instruction information; a step
of inquiring, by the radio base station, of a predetermined node about
whether the target mobile station is approved for performing the
measurement process; and a step of instructing, by the radio base
station, the target mobile station to perform the measurement process
when the target mobile station is approved for performing the measurement
process.

[0013] A second characteristic of the present invention is summarized in
that a mobile communication method, in which a target mobile station
performs a measurement process designated by an operation and maintenance
server and reports a result of the measurement process, includes: a step
of transmitting, by the operation and maintenance server, instruction
information for instructing execution of the measurement process to a
radio base station; a step of selecting, by the radio base station, the
target mobile station on the basis of the instruction information; a step
of determining, by the radio base station, whether the target mobile
station is approved for performing the measurement process; and a step of
instructing, by the radio base station, the target mobile station to
perform the measurement process when it is determined that the target
mobile station is approved for performing the measurement process.

[0014] A third characteristic of the present invention is summarized in
that a radio base station, which is used in a mobile communication system
configured such that a target mobile station is able to perform a
measurement process designated by an operation and maintenance server and
to report a result of the measurement process, includes: a selection unit
that selects the target mobile station on the basis of instruction
information for instructing execution of the measurement process when the
instruction information is received from the operation and maintenance
server; an inquiry unit that inquires of a predetermined node about
whether the target mobile station is approved for performing the
measurement process; and an instruction unit that instructs the target
mobile station to perform the measurement process when the target mobile
station is approved for performing the measurement process.

[0015] A fourth characteristic of the present invention is summarized in
that a radio base station, which is used in a mobile communication system
configured such that a target mobile station is able to perform a
measurement process designated by an operation and maintenance server and
to report a result of the measurement process, includes: a selection unit
that selects the target mobile station on the basis of instruction
information for instructing execution of the measurement process when the
instruction information is received from the operation and maintenance
server; a determination unit that determines whether the target mobile
station is approved for performing the measurement process; and an
instruction unit that instructs the target mobile station to perform the
measurement process when it is determined that the target mobile station
is approved for performing the measurement process.

[0016] As described above, according to the present invention, it is
possible to provide a mobile communication method and a radio base
station with which it is possible to start MDT only when the target
mobile station UE is approved for performing an MDT measurement process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the entire configuration of a
mobile communication system according to a first embodiment of the
present invention.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a radio base station
according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a mobility management node
and a subscriber management server according to the first embodiment of
the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating operations in the mobile
communication system according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.

[0021]FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a radio base station
according to a first modification of the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating operations of a mobile
communication system according to the first modification of the present
invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Mobile Communication System According to First Embodiment of the Present
Invention

[0023] With reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 4, a mobile communication
system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be
described.

[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the mobile communication system according
to the present embodiment is an LTE mobile communication system, and
includes an operation and maintenance server EM, a subscriber management
server HSS (Home Subscriber Server), a mobility management node MME
(Mobility Management Entity), a trace collection server TCE (Trace
Collection Entity), and a radio base station eNB.

[0025] In the mobile communication system according to the present
embodiment, a target mobile station UE designated by the operation and
maintenance server EM is configured to perform an MDT measurement process
designated by the operation and maintenance server EM, and to report an
MDT log including a result of the MDT measurement process.

[0026] The target mobile station UE according to the present embodiment is
able to cope with "Immediate MDT" and "Logged MDT".

[0027] Furthermore, in the mobile communication system according to the
present embodiment, as a procedure for starting MDT, "Management based
MDT activation procedure" is applied.

[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the radio base station eNB includes a
reception unit 11, a selection unit 12, and a transmission unit 13.

[0029] The reception unit 11 is configured to receive "Trace Session
Activation" including "MDT config" from the operation and maintenance
server EM as instruction information instructing the target mobile
station UE to perform the MDT measurement process.

[0030] In the "MDT config", a target MDT area is designated and the target
mobile station UE is not designated.

[0031] The selection unit 12 is configured to select the target mobile
station UE when "Trace Session Activation" including the "MDT config" is
received by the reception unit 11.

[0032] Specifically, the selection unit 12 may be configured to select the
target mobile station UE on the basis of "UE Capability" and the like
acquired from a mobile station UE in a connected state (RRC_CONNECTED) in
an MDT area designated by the "MDT config".

[0033] For example, the selection unit 12 may be configured to select, as
the target mobile station UE, a predetermined number of mobile stations
UE capable of performing the MDT measurement process among mobile
stations UE in the connected state (RRC_CONNECTED) in the MDT area
designated by the "MDT config".

[0034] The transmission unit 13 is configured to transmit "Cell Traffic
Trace", which includes an approval check request for inquiring whether
the target mobile station UE is approved for performing the MDT
measurement process, to the mobility management node MME or the
subscriber management server HSS.

[0035] Furthermore, the reception unit 11 is configured to receive "Cell
Traffic Trace Response", which includes an approval check result
indicating an inquiry result about whether the target mobile station UE
is approved for performing the MDT measurement process, from the mobility
management node MME or the subscriber management server HSS.

[0036] Furthermore, when the target mobile station UE is approved for
performing the MDT measurement process, the transmission unit 13 is
configured to transmit "MDT config" for instructing the target mobile
station UE to perform the MDT measurement process.

[0037] Meanwhile, when the target mobile station UE is not approved for
performing the MDT measurement process, the transmission unit 13 is
configured not to transmit the "MDT config" for instructing the target
mobile station UE to perform the MDT measurement process.

[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the mobility management node MME or the
subscriber management server HSS includes a reception unit 21, a
determination unit 22, a management unit 23, and a transmission unit 24.

[0039] The reception unit 21 is configured to receive "Cell Traffic Trace"
including the above-described approval check request, from the radio base
station eNB.

[0040] The management unit 23 is configured to manage subscriber
information of each mobile station UE. For example, the management unit
23 is configured to manage approval information indicating whether each
mobile station UE is approved for performing the MDT measurement process.

[0041] For example, the approval information may be set when a user of
each mobile station UE applies a subscription contract.

[0042] When the "Cell Traffic Trace" including the above-described
approval check request is received by the reception unit 21, the
determination unit 22 is configured to determine whether the target
mobile station UE is approved for performing the MDT measurement process,
with reference to the management unit 23.

[0043] The transmission unit 24 is configured to transmit, to the radio
base station eNB, "Cell Traffic Trace Response" including an approval
check result indicating a result of the determination by the
determination unit 22.

[0044] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 4, an example of the operations
of the mobile communication system according to the present embodiment
will be described.

[0045] As illustrated in FIG. 4, in step S1001, the operation and
maintenance server EM transmits "Trace Session Activation" including "MDT
config" designating a target MDT area, to the radio base station eNB.

[0046] In step S1002, a procedure for transitioning a mobile station UE#1
from an idle state (RRC_IDLE) to a connected state (RRC_CONNECTED) is
performed. Furthermore, the mobility management node MME transmits
"Initial Context Setup Request" to the radio base station eNB.

[0047] In addition, in FIG. 4, the order of step S1001 and step S1002 may
be switched.

[0048] The radio base station eNB extracts mobile stations UE in a
connected state in the target MDT area in step S1003, acquires "UE
Capability" of these mobile stations UE in step S1004, and selects the
mobile station UE#1 from the mobile stations UE as the target mobile
station UE in step S1005.

[0049] In step S1006, the radio base station eNB transmits "Cell Traffic
Trace", which includes an approval check request for inquiring whether
the mobile station UE#1 is approved for performing an MDT measurement
process, to the mobility management node MME or the subscriber management
server HSS.

[0050] In step S1007, in response to the "Cell Traffic Trace" including
the approval check request related to the mobile station UE#1, the
mobility management node MME or the subscriber management server HSS
determines whether the mobile station UE#1 is approved for performing an
MDT measurement process.

[0051] In step S1008, the mobility management node MME or the subscriber
management server HSS transmits "Cell Traffic Trace Response" including
an approval check result indicating the determination result regarding
whether the mobile station UE#1 is approved for performing an MDT
measurement process.

[0052] When the approval of the MDT measurement process by the mobile
station UE#1 is notified by the "Cell Traffic Trace Response", the radio
base station eNB notifies the mobile station UE#1 of "MDT config" by an
RRC message in step S1009.

[0053] Meanwhile, when the non-approval of the MDT measurement process by
the mobile station UE#1 is notified by the "Cell Traffic Trace Response",
the radio base station eNB does not notify the mobile station UE#1 of the
"MDT config" by the RRC message in step S1009.

[0054] The mobile station UE#1 performs the MDT measurement process in any
one mode of the "Immediate MDT" and the "Logged MDT" in step S1010, and
transmits an "MDT report" including a result of the MDT measurement
process to the radio base station eNB in step S1011. Furthermore, the
mobile station UE#1 transmits "Location Information" together with the
"MDT report".

[0055] In step S1012, the radio base station eNB transmits "Trace Record",
which includes the information received from the mobile station UE#1 in
step S1011 and the "MDT config", to the trace collection server TCE.

[0056] In accordance with the mobile communication system according to the
first embodiment of the present invention, even when the "Management
based MDT activation procedure" is applied, the mobility management node
MME or the subscriber management server HSS is able to start the MDT by
the target mobile station UE only when it is determined that the target
mobile station UE is approved for performing the MDT measurement process.

(First Modification)

[0057] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a mobile
communication system according to a first modification of the present
invention is explained while focusing on the difference from the mobile
communication system according to the first embodiment.

[0058] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the radio base station eNB includes a
reception unit 31, a selection unit 32, a determination unit 33, a
management unit 33A, and a transmission unit 34.

[0059] The management unit 33A is configured to manage information
required for determining whether each mobile station UE is approved for
performing an MDT measurement process.

[0060] For example, the management unit 33A may be configured to manage,
as such information, type information such as SPID (Subscriber Profile
Identity) of a mobile station UE that is approved to perform the MDT
measurement process, or may be configured to manage another information
element (IE: Information Element).

[0061] When "MDT Config" is received by the reception unit 31, the
determination unit 33 is configured to determine whether a target mobile
station UE selected by the selection unit 32 is approved for performing
the MDT measurement process, with reference to the management unit 33A.

[0062] When the determination unit 33 determines that the target mobile
station UE is approved for performing the MDT measurement process, the
transmission unit 34 is configured to transmit "MDT Config" for
instructing the execution of the MDT measurement process to the target
mobile station UE.

[0063] Meanwhile, when the determination unit 33 determines that the
target mobile station UE is not approved for performing the MDT
measurement process, the transmission unit 34 is configured not to
transmit the "MDT Config" for instructing the execution of the MDT
measurement process to the target mobile station UE.

[0064] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 6, an example of the operations
of the mobile communication system according to the first modification
will be described.

[0065] As illustrated in FIG. 6, in step S2001, the operation and
maintenance server EM transmits "Trace Session Activation" including "MDT
config" designating a target MDT area, to the radio base station eNB.

[0066] In step S2002, a procedure for transitioning the mobile station
UE#1 from an idle state (RRC_IDLE) to a connected state (RRC_CONNECTED)
is performed.

[0067] Furthermore, the mobility management node MME transmits, to the
radio base station eNB, "Initial Context Setup Request" including type
information such as SPID of a mobile station UE that is approved to
perform an MDT measurement process.

[0068] In addition, in FIG. 6, the order of step S2001 and step S2002 may
be changed.

[0069] The radio base station eNB extracts mobile stations UE in a
connected state in the target MDT area in step S2003, acquires "UE
Capability" of these mobile stations UE in step S2004, and selects the
mobile station UE#1 from the mobile stations UE as the target mobile
station UE in step S2005.

[0070] The radio base station eNB determines whether the mobile station
UE#1 is approved for performing the MDT measurement process, with
reference to type information, such as SPID (Subscriber Profile Identity)
of a mobile station UE included in the "Initial Context Setup Request",
and the management unit 33A in step S2006, and transmits "Cell Traffic
Trace" to the mobility management node MME or the subscriber management
server HSS in step S2007.

[0071] When it is determined that the mobile station UE#1 is approved for
performing the MDT measurement process, the radio base station eNB
notifies the mobile station UE#1 of the "MDT config" by an RRC message in
step S2008.

[0072] Meanwhile, when it is determined that the mobile station UE#1 is
not approved for performing the MDT measurement process, the radio base
station eNB does not notify the mobile station UE#1 of the "MDT config"
by the RRC message in step S2008.

[0073] The mobile station UE#1 performs the MDT measurement process in any
one mode of the "Immediate MDT" and the "Logged MDT" in step S2009, and
transmits an "MDT report" including a result of the MDT measurement
process to the radio base station eNB in step S2010. Furthermore, the
mobile station UE#1 transmits "Location Information" together with the
"MDT report".

[0074] In step S2011, the radio base station eNB transmits "Trace Record",
which includes the information received from the mobile station UE#1 in
step S2010 and the "MDT config", to the trace collection server TCE.

[0075] In accordance with the mobile communication system according to the
first modification, even when the "Management based MDT activation
procedure" is applied, the radio base station eNB is able to start MDT by
the target mobile station UE only when it is determined that the target
mobile station UE is approved for performing the MDT measurement process.

[0076] The characteristics of the present embodiment as described above
may be expressed as follows.

[0077] A first characteristic of the present embodiment is summarized in
that a mobile communication method, in which a target mobile station UE
performs an MDT measurement process designated by an operation and
maintenance server EM and reports a result of the MDT measurement
process, includes: a step of transmitting, by the operation and
maintenance server EM, "MDT config (instruction information for
instructing the execution of the MDT measurement process)" to a radio
base station eNB; a step of selecting, by the radio base station eNB, the
target mobile station UE on the basis of the "MDT config"; a step of
inquiring, by the radio base station eNB, of a mobility management node
MME or a subscriber management server HSS (a predetermined server) about
whether the target mobile station UE is approved for performing the MDT
measurement process; and a step of instructing, by the radio base station
eNB, the target mobile station UE to perform the MDT measurement process
when the target mobile station UE is approved for performing the MDT
measurement process.

[0078] A second characteristic of the present embodiment is summarized in
that a mobile communication method, in which a target mobile station UE
performs an MDT measurement process designated by an operation and
maintenance server EM and reports a result of the MDT measurement
process, includes: a step A of transmitting, by the operation and
maintenance server EM, "MDT config" to a radio base station eNB; a step B
of selecting, by the radio base station eNB, the target mobile station UE
on the basis of the "MDT config"; a step C of determining, by the radio
base station eNB, whether the target mobile station UE is approved for
performing the MDT measurement process; and a step D of instructing, by
the radio base station eNB, the target mobile station UE to perform the
MDT measurement process when it is determined that the target mobile
station UE is approved for performing the MDT measurement process.

[0079] In the second characteristic of the present embodiment, in the step
C, the radio base station eNB may be determined whether the target mobile
station UE is approved for performing the MDT measurement process, on the
basis of information (for example, SPID of the target mobile station UE
or another information element) received from a mobility management node
MME or a subscriber management node HSS (a predetermined node).

[0080] A third characteristic of the present embodiment is summarized in
that a radio base station eNB, which is used in a mobile communication
system configured such that a target mobile station UE is able to perform
an MDT measurement process designated by an operation and maintenance
server EM and to report a result of the MDT measurement process,
includes: a selection unit 12 that selects the target mobile station UE
on the basis of "MDT config" when the "MDT config" is received from the
operation and maintenance server EM; a transmission unit 13 and a
reception unit 11 that inquires of a mobility management node MME or a
subscriber management server HSS about whether the target mobile station
UE is approved for performing the MDT measurement process; and the
transmission unit 13 that instructs the target mobile station UE to
perform the MDT measurement process when the target mobile station UE is
approved for performing the MDT measurement process.

[0081] A fourth characteristic of the present embodiment is summarized in
that a radio base station eNB, which is used in a mobile communication
system configured such that a target mobile station UE is able to perform
an MDT measurement process designated by an operation and maintenance
server EM and to report a result of the MDT measurement process,
includes: a selection unit 22 that selects the target mobile station UE
on the basis of "MDT config" when the "MDT config" is received from the
operation and maintenance server EM; a determination unit 33 that
determines whether the target mobile station UE is approved for
performing the MDT measurement process; and a transmission unit 34 that
instructs the target mobile station UE to perform the MDT measurement
process when it is determined that the target mobile station UE is
approved for performing the MDT measurement process.

[0082] In the fourth characteristic of the present embodiment, the
determination unit 33 may be configured to determine whether the target
mobile station UE is approved for performing the MDT measurement process,
on the basis of information (for example, SPID of the target mobile
station UE or another information element) received from a mobility
management node MME or a subscriber management server HSS (a
predetermined server).

[0083] In addition, the operation of the above-described operation and
maintenance server EM, subscriber management server HSS, trace collection
server TCE, mobility management node MME, radio base station eNB, or
mobile station UE may be implemented by hardware, may also be implemented
by a software module executed by a processor, or may further be
implemented by the combination of the both.

[0084] The software module may be arranged in a storage medium of an
arbitrary format such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, a
ROM (Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM
(Electronically Erasable and Programmable ROM), a register, a hard disk,
a removable disk, or a CD-ROM.

[0085] The storage medium is connected to the processor so that the
processor can write and read information into and from the storage
medium. Such a storage medium may also be accumulated in the processor.
Such a storage medium and processor may be arranged in an ASIC. Such an
ASIC may be arranged in the operation and maintenance server EM, the
subscriber management server HSS, the trace collection server TCE, the
mobility management node MME, the radio base station eNB, or the mobile
station UE. As a discrete component, such a storage medium and processor
may be arranged in the operation and maintenance server EM, the
subscriber management server HSS, the mobility management node MME, the
trace collection server TCE, the radio base station eNB, or the mobile
station UE.

[0086] Thus, the present invention has been explained in detail by using
the above-described embodiments; however, it is obvious that for persons
skilled in the art, the present invention is not limited to the
embodiments explained herein. The present invention can be implemented as
a corrected and modified mode without departing the gist and the scope of
the present invention defined by the claims. Therefore, the description
of the specification is intended for explaining the example only and does
not impose any limited meaning to the present invention.